Dark Rose (2003)
by Czech & Speake

This responds on my skin as a lighter Black Aoud, and that is a very good thing to my way of thinking. I like Black Aoud, but it is too strong for my taste. The aromatic / aoud / saffron / rose opening in Dark Rose is has a definite edge to it but it is tolerable and highly wearable. It is a refined and elegant opening with enough aoud to provide a strong interest, but not enough to overwhelm. I have gotten habituated to aoud enough to enjoy this aoud level very much, and I especially enjoy the rather reduced strength of the rose – a note I am not in love with as a fragrance for me With most aoud scents, 85% of what I smell is aoud, but I find this lighter version of aoud (plus some other wood notes) at a perfect intensity and yet it interesting enough that I am completely satisfied with the note… I experience it as a comfortable and enjoyable wear.

Dark Rose is linear which is a very good thing in this case. It is long lasting, and it presents a moderate, engaging sillage. I could and probably will learn to love this scent because of its touch of the exotic, its somewhat subtle nature, and its excellent performance.

Lovely, though not a breakthrough fragrance. Still, like most of the C&S line, exceptionally well done! I'm saving for No. 88, however...

Dark Rose is a beautiful Rose/Oud fragrance. It starts of with a rather astringent oud note in harmonious accord with the rose and saffron. It does have a comforting berry accord in the dry-down.

DR has good sillage and longevity. I was impressed with its longevity, especially when i got slightly drenched in the rain, and it still smelled strong on my wrist.

I had always thought DR would be a darker, deeper scent than No. 88. I was proven wrong. The colours of the bottles should have been a good indication for me. Now i understand why DR is listed as a female scent, although its a perfect unisex.

I have only one "problem" with Dark Rose: I already have Micallef's Aoud Homme. As good as Dark Rose is, it pales significantly beside the Micallef. considering the relative scarcity of Micallef, DR is a very good alternative Rose/Oud/Saffron scent.

DR is a fine fragrance and earns several thumbs up.

I would call this 'Medium Oud Rose'! It is not to my liking, but a worthy composition nonetheless. Buffalo_Gals' commentary has captured my feelings on this one perfectly. BTW ~ the best part of this frag is the dry down...it's stunning!

Czech & Speake’s Dark Rose opens up all oudh and roses, rather like Montale’s Black Aoud diluted down to half the concentration. The oudh-rose accord tends toward the stark and monumental, and like many scents based on this combination Dark Rose remains in olfactory stasis for quite some time. The basic character is - well - dark rose, balanced by the slightly caustic, medicinal character of oudh and a generous helping of saffron. If you like the Montale oudh scents in principle, but find them overwhelming, Dark Rose will no doubt appeal.

The rose in Dark Rose sweetens over the course of hours, taking on a “jammy” or liqueur-like character, while the oudh mellows and eventually makes way for some dry sandalwood and vetiver. The Directory entry lists Dark Rose as “feminine,” but with all that wood and the bitter edge on the rose, I’d consider it comfortably gender neutral. It’s certainly no more “girly” than other recent roses for men, such as Amouage Lyric. I must admit though that I’m slightly puzzled by Dark Rose’s presence in the Czech & Speake lineup. The firm already offers No. 88, which while admittedly even darker and more complex, is awfully similar in style and composition.

I had the misfortune to sample Dark Rose just days after encountering Amouage’s brilliant Homage, where oudh and rose travel on an entirely different, and I must say, higher plane. Seen in light of Homage, the more daring Montale oudh scents, and Czech & Speake’s own No. 88, Dark Rose seems tame – even a bit bland – and possibly superfluous.

For those who find the Montale rose aouds a bit too full on, Dark Rose would be the perfect alternative. There’s also an underlying fruitiness in the composition, which adds an extra dimension.

After the initial opening, it’s far too demure for my liking. However, this still deserves a thumbs-up.